Sizer and grader.



A. M. OQUINN.

SIZER AND GRADER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-24, 191s.

Patented Feb. 4, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A. M. 0QU|NN. SIZER AND GRADER.

APPLICAHON FILED SEPT-24.1918.

Patented Feb. 4, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1 Hoznua a a showing the means ARTHUR M. OQUINN, 0F FORT VALLEY, GEORGIA.

SIZER AND GRADER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 4, 1919.

Application filed September 24, 1918. Serial No. 255,486.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR M. OQUINN. a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Valley, in the county of Houston and State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Sizer and Grader, of which the fol lowing is a specification.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is adapted to be employed for grading fruit and vegetables, and one object of the invention is to provide novel means whereby the sizing roller may be adjusted transversely, both horizontally and vertically. I

The invention aims to provide novel means whereby the sizing roller may have, practically, a universal transverse adjustment, this adjustment being brought about by a simple mechanism, well adapted to withstand hard usage, and not likely to become inoperative after long continued use.

Another object of the invention is to combine, with a means for adjusting the sizing roller, a mechanism whereby the driving belt for the roller may be tightened up when the roller is adjusted, desirable to use a belt drive.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention. appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the. description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that, within the scope of what is claimed, changes in the precise embodiment of the invention shown can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 shows in front elevation, a device constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan of the structure shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a fragmental section taken longitudinally of one of the rollers, and showing the end-mounting for the roller; Fig. 4 is a transverse section showing particularly, the means whereby the driving belt for the rolleris tightened up, when the position of the roller is adjusted transversely; Fig. 5 is a fragmental elevation for operating certain of should it be found 1 threaded into the bracket the belts; and Figs."6 and 7 are diagrams,

alluded to hereinafter in describing the operation of the machine.

The fruit and vegetable grader formlng the subject matter ofthis application embodies a support or frame, including a beam 1 carrying U-shaped brackets 2 disposed cross wise of the beam and held in place thereon by securing elements 3. Each of the brackets 2 carry a first member 4 which is capable of right line adjustment in the bracket. A second member 5 is mounted for right line adjustment in the first member 4 in a direction at an angle to the direction in which the first member 4 is adjustable in the bracket 2 The members 4 and 5 may be variously constructed, and any suitable means may be provided for adjusting them and holding them in adjusted positions. Thus, the members 4 and 5 may be in the form of rods, the member 4 having a head 6 wherein the member 5 is received. If desired, the members 4 and 5 may be threaded, the member 4 carrying nuts-7 which engage the ends of the bracket 2, and the member 5 carrying nuts 8 which engage the ends of the head 6. Preferably, the member 4 is not 2, and the member 5 is not threaded into the head 6 but these members 4 and 5 may have squared ends 9 for the reception of a wrench or key, used in holding or manipulating them. The members 5 are vertically disposed, whereas the members 4 are horizontally disposed, in the ordinary construction of a fruit and vegetable grading machine.

5 terminate in end plates 10 carrying stub The members axles 11 received within bushings 12 in the I ends of sizing rollers 14.

The sizing rollers 14 may be driven in any desired way, but, in the present embodiment of the invention, they are provided intermediate their ends with grooves 15 receiving driving belts 16 engaged with pulleys 17 on a line shaft 18. angers 19 are attached to the beam 1 or are supported otherwise screws 20 being threaded into the hangers. the screws being downwardly and forwardly inclined with respect to the beam 1. The screws 20 may be manipulated by means of hand wheels 21, and are held in adjusted positions by means of locknuts 22, which, being threaded upon the screws 20, engage the hangers 19 as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

' belt 28 which not only moves longitudinally,

' way.

ing roller 14 may first member 4 may but rotates slowly on'its axis. These details have not been discussed at great length, because they are shown, described and claimed, in my copending application for Letters Patent on a sizer and grader, Serial No. 255,485 filed the 24th day of September, 1918. It should be noted, however,-that the rope belt 28 alone does not cooperate with the sizing rollers 14 to form a fruit runway, the conveyer belt 25 and the rope belt, together coactin with the rollers 14 to form the runhe rope belt 28 serves to advance the fruit, and to turn the fruit on an axis extended through the stem end of the fruit, and throu h the opposite end thereof.

It will e understood that, by loosening the nuts 7 assumin e adjusted horizontally,

in a right line, 'n one direction, it bein possible to hold the member 4 in adjuste positions by tightening up the nuts 7 Similarly, by loosening the nuts 8, the member 5 may be adjusted vertically, and may be held in adjusted positions by tightening up the nuts 8. In this way, the sizing rollers 14 may be adjusted, one at a time, both horizontally and vertically. When the sizing rollers are adjusted, the slack may be taken out of the driving belt 16, by moving the pulley 24, the screw. 20 being advanced or retracted, and being held in adjusted positions by the lock nut 22. It willbe seen 'that'this application discloses a simple means whereby, practically, a universal transverse adjustment of the sizbe effected, so that the sizing roller may be located as desired with respect to the member which cooperates with the sizing roller I am aware that it has been proposed heretofore, to adjust a sizing roller transversely'in one direction. I am aware, also, that it has-been proposed to swing' a sizing roller in a single arc, at the end of a pivoted arm, supported in various ways. Such means, however, effect an adjustment of the roller to assume different positions on a sinle are having its center exteriorto the roll.

he device forming the subject matter of this application is distinguished from such devices, by the fact that it provides an adjustment whereby the roller may be moved transversely to cause the roller to assume belt 25 may extend operation takes place gradually,

that nuts are used, the

during the sizing operation.

difierent positions on difierent arcs, having their centers exterior to the roller. Further, the structure herein described provides a means whereby theroller may transversely in fixed planes at an angle to each other.

As shown at 29 in Fig. 6, the sizing rollers may be disposed parallel to the belts 25 and 28, but at difierent distances therefrom. In Fig. 7 as shown at 30, the sizing rollers are located in a straight line which slants away from the belts. Thus, when the rollers are arranged as disclosed in Fig. 6, a step by step sizing is effected, whereas, if the rollers are located as shown in Fig. 7 the sizing and not by steps.

Havin thus described the invention, what is claimeb is 1. In a fruit and vegetable ader, a sizing roller; and means for a justing each end of the roller transversely to cause each end of the roller to assume different positions on difierent arcs having their centers exterior to the roller.

2. In a fruit and vegetable ader, a sizing roller; and means for a justing both ends of the roller transversely in fixed planes at an angle to each other.

3. In a fruit and vegetable grader, a support; a first member mounted for right line movement in one direction on the support; a second member mounted for right line movement in another direction on the first member; means for holding the first and second members in adjusted positions; and a sizing roller carried by the second member.

4. In a fruit and vegetable grader, a sizingroller; and means for adjusting the roller transversely to cause the roller to assume different positions along a non-circular curve. I

5. In a fruit and vegetable grader, a conveyer; a sizing roller cotiperating with the conveyer; and means for adjusting the roller transversely to cause the roller to assume different positions parallel to the conveyer, upon and on opposite sides of a fixed curve.

6. In a fruit and vegetable grader, a conveyer; a sizing roller cotiperating with the conveyer; and independent means for adjusting each end of the roller transversely to cause the roller to assume different positions at an acute angle to the .conveyer, upon and on opposite sides of a fixed curve.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR M. OZQUINN.

be adj usted 

